LIHU‘E — MaBel Fujiuchi, chairperson for the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Scholarship Committee, announced four recipients of the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation scholarships during the club’s virtual meeting via Zoom Thursday.
The virtual meeting was done due to the COVID-19 social-distancing requirements, and in lieu of the in-person check presentation and traditional luncheon, the scholarship awards and congratulatory letter will be mailed to each of the recipients.
Kasaiah Vercelli and Loren Weiner are recent graduates of Kapa‘a High, and Tia Fulks and Rachael Dressler are recent alumni of Kaua‘i High School. Each will receive awards of $1,000.
Vercelli, graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 4.105, was ranked first in her class of 247 students. She said she is inspired by notable individuals such as Amelia Earheart, and finds motivation and empowerment through the strength of determined ladies. The daughter of Katie and Jason Vercelli plans on attending Agnes Scott College in Decanter, Georgia, with a major in ancient civilization and religious studies.
Weiner, the daughter of Jill Weiner and Amelia Lim, left Kapa‘a High with a 4.192 GPA, and was ranked tops in her class. She plans on becoming a woman advocate, and said she is inspired to break down the stereotype against women in traditionally male-dominant jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and spread the empowering Zonta message of equality.
She plans on attending Cornell University and major in materials science and engineering with a minor in applied mathematics.
Dressler, graduating from Kaua‘i High with a 4.22 GPA, is the daughter of Michelle and Larry Dressler. She plans on attending the University of Portland honors program with majors in political science and history.
During her high-school career, Dressler was involved with all aspects of student government, promoting advocacy, student voice and civic responsibility.
Tia Fulks was named recipient of the Marge Akana Scholarship. She graduated from Kaua‘i High School with a 3.947 GPA, and plans on attending the University of Nevada at Las Vegas with a major in medical imaging.
She said she believes that women’s rights are human rights. Zonta inspires her with its values and empowering women to strive to be their best, she said.
The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Scholarship Committee includes Darrellyn Lemke, Cyndi Ayonon, Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano, Betty Bell, Marge Akana, Nikki Cristobal, Robbie Melton, Cyndy Racca, Melody Lopez and Teresa Matthews.
To learn more about the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i, visit zonta-kauai.org or see the Facebook page, Zonta Club of Kaua‘i.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
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